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Freeview tells Government and Ofcom that TV viewers should not foot the 4G bill

More updates on 4G and Freeview>Mobile operators should bear cost of protecting viewers’ TV servicesAt a Parliamentary briefing, Freeview urge Government to put consumers at the heart of 4G plans

As 2.3 million households could suffer from interference to their digital TV signal from 4G services, Freeview has called on the Government to urgently revise its 4G proposals on the levels of support being offered to consumers. At a Parliamentary briefing, the UK’s biggest digital television provider has asked for clarity from Government so that the timetable for rolling out 4G is not delayed and TV services for viewers are protected.

Freeview, which currently provides free digital TV to over 20 million homes in the UK, is concerned that the Government commitment to securing a £180 million fund to pay for countering the effects of interference does not go far enough to meet consumer needs. Based on figures calculated by Deloitte for the Ofcom consultation, however, industry estimates put the cost to consumers at up to £200 million to maintain the TV services they currently have.

Freeview request that Government and Ofcom recognise that consumers should not have to pick up the bill to resolve interference with their Freeview service and revise their proposals so that the mobile operators are responsible for the full costs associated with protecting viewers’ TV services.

Ilse Howling, Managing Director of Freeview, said: “It is vital that any strategy listens to what consumers want and need. We strongly believe that the Freeview homes should not be subject to further inconvenience and additional cost to make way for mobile broadband.

“The Government has committed to recouping the cost of protecting viewers from interference, using proceeds from the 4G mobile auction. However, this will still leave viewers to bear a substantial proportion of the cost. The mobile phone operators will be the ultimate beneficiaries of this new service, and we believe that they should pay to mitigate the television interference according to the ‘polluter pays’ principle.”

Freeview is calling on Government to address concerns regarding:

1. Installation support – the majority of homes affected will not be able to install the equipment themselves. 83% of affected homes use either an amplifier or are reliant on a communal aerial system which would need professional installation support, involving considerable cost. However, the Government will not be providing installation assistance for filters to affected households unless they qualify as vulnerable consumers
2. Costs affecting consumers with second sets – currently, the Government plans to supply free filters only for the main TV set in the home. However, latest BARB figures estimate the number of additional Freeview sets to be as high as 21 million
3. Support for the elderly – while almost 40% of Freeview’s viewers are over 65, only 39 interviews with those aged 65+ were considered by Ofcom in concluding if the majority of people within this age bracket would find installing a filter themselves straightforward. Moreover, whether local authority care homes and other public buildings will be eligible for support is unclear

Furthermore, new research suggests that 4G services are much less relevant to Freeview homes than the population as a whole. 70% of Freeview homes do not own a smart device and 86% of Freeview homes would be unhappy if 4G mobile services interfered with their television signal. As such, the people most likely to be affected adversely by interference to the existing television reception are those who have the least interest in the new service.

Ilse Howling, went on to say: “Free, quality television is part of this nation’s DNA. Almost 90% of Freeview homes and 75% of second set homes would be unhappy if Freeview were no longer available. It is crucial that as an industry we don’t turn a blind eye to consumers but ensure that technology evolves in line with what people want.

“It is critically important that the government finds the best way to get both: protecting free TV and addressing the need for mobile broadband.”

Freeview is the UK’s leading television platform, currently serving over 20 million homes (including almost 11 million main set homes). By the time 4G services roll out, over 90% of the UK will have Freeview either on a main or secondary set.